By: Jenia Freewalt, sports information assistant
ADA, Ohio - After a summer of training and a week of hard work during the return to campus pre-season, the Beavers were anxious and ready to get back on the course and give it their all at the Polar Bear Invitational at ONU on Saturday, Sept. 3. With a new head coach and a young team, there is a lot to learn and goals to reach as the Beavers prepare for a full season of races.
This season shows a lot of promise for the Beavers. A number of the athletes are returning from injury and have big goals for this season.
Coach Gulick led the team through their first meet of the season, and also his first meet as head coach of the team. "Overall, I thought this was a good kickoff meet for the squad. A lot of good performances across the board. The guys had a pretty strong pack throughout and helped pull each other along. There is still work to be done, but this race has me excited for what is to come."
Kicking off the meet was the men's 6k race. The first Bluffton Beaver across the line was junior Ethan Ly (Celina), running a time of 20:42 and placing 27th overall. Following Ethan was his teammate, Cole Kropka (New London), crossing the line with a time of 21:19. Third on the men's team was junior Zach Boch (Lancaster) with a time of 22:00.
Following the men's 6k race was the women's 5k race. As a result of battling injuries, the women's team only had four athletes able to finish the race, so there were not enough women to place as a team. Leading the Beavers was sophomore Basil Gates (Galion), running a great first race of the season and placing 16th with a time of 21:08. Next across the line for Bluffton was junior Jenia Freewalt (Delphos/St. John's, building after injury with a time of 23:09. Junior Brooke Barnes (Ashland/Crestview) placed third for the Beavers on the women's side with a time of 25:21.
Eager for another chance to race, the Beavers roll into another week of training in preparation for the Tiffelberg Open at Heidelburg on Friday, Sept. 9.
-BEAVERS-
